Thursday, December 15, 2011

Vintage Stamps and Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

This tin of vintage stamps arrived at the beach house last week. My mum is renovating my old bedroom. Last time she did that, was when I moved to Perth for the duration of the Americas Cup 25 years ago, so it was time. The Laura Ashley salmon pink and sapphire blue has run its race and has been pushed aside for a more contemporary look. The result being, that I am taking delivery of a life time of collecting that my mother no longer has room for.

I have been a collector all my life and fondly remember soaking the paper off the back of these stamps in the little mosaic tiled 60's blue bathroom,in the house that my mother still lives. Laying them out to dry on towels on the floor and when they had, sorting them according to country, colour and value.

It was very nostalgic to go back through these lovely little pieces of art and to note their social history. I found all the Christmas stamps in the tin and was very interested in their depiction of the way we were. The powers that be in Australia were obviously very late to the party when it came to the social revolution of the 60s. This 1965 stamp depicts a religious motif, which seems to progress well into the 1970's

A religious motif was still being used in 1967 with the use of the Gothic Church facade icons. Although the Australian native Christmas Bell is super imposed over the top.

We were still using religious icons in 1970 with Madonna and child. This would never get a run today in Australia as we are very much a multi cultural, multi religious country and like to see ourselves as very tolerant of everyone's beliefs!!!!

So by 1977 we had moved on to the surfing Santa. Here we are starting to develop more of our own identity, dropping the religious aspects and making the event more homogeneous with Santa at the Beach, which is distinctly Australian. At this time Australians had just thrown out a very radical left wing government. There had been masses of change during their term, which is even evidenced in the art work on the nation's stamps.

Anyhoo, what to do with these beautiful objects. Make an ornament for the tree, that's what!!!!! I purchased the balls already papier mached, but if you are using foam balls you could cover them with slivers of brown paper if you are unable to find them already covered.

I made one ornament which was distinctly blue and one using old stamps I had of Queen Elizabeth.

I tied them with string, brown paper package style and made another 20cm long loop to hang them with. They look fabulous on the tree. I'd love to do a whole tree with these little vintage parcels.

It's been interesting to see how the price of posting a standard letter has moved from a few cents in the 1960's and 70's to where it is today at 60c.

My favourite is the one of all the different faces of Liz. The English stamps are now printed onto rugs as well. They are very expensive but absolutely beautiful.

Hoping I don't get an email from any stamp dealer guru types telling me the stamps that are now smothered with glue, are worth thousands. Probably should have checked first I guess!!!! But the turn around time to keep you guys looking is too short and you are worth it anyway. Thanks for reading me I appreciate you all so much!!!!!

PS My header shot has gone all blurry. Probably blogger up to her usual tricks....Is anyone else experiencing the same?

Love the vintage Christmas balls. What a great way to use old stamps and what a great collection. You could also frame them - e.g make a big shape, like a heart using the stamps and put them in a white frame. I have seen this done and it looks great. Nice work! ;-)

Thank you for visiting my blog! These ornaments are so sweet. My favorite stamps are the religious ones. I had quite an extensive stamp collection as a kid which I still have in an album SOMEWHERE. I used to be obsessed with the tiny pictures. andrea@townandprairie

Love the stamps! I like to use vintage stamps in artwork. They are better on an ornament then stuck in a drawer. Will be your newest follower, hope you will stop by and see what is happening of our side of the globe, Laura

How sweet - it looks like a little parcel.I'd love it if you could link this project up at my Simply Christmas Inspiration party ~ http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/2011/12/inspiration-friday_16.html

I love that you made ornaments out of your stamp collections. I collected stamps for years and I had some carboard label tubes abour four inches round and i pasted my stamps on them and made pencil holders.. Warms wish and have fun with your stamps

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About Me

Hi I'm Carolyn coming to you from a sweet little beach house on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Desire Empire is my passion and I love all things vintage, interiors, food, travel and family. Come and join me on my journey in paradise.